LSU football vs. Florida: From the other sideline

Baton Rouge -- Each week, we'll throw a set of questions at a writer or other media member who covers LSU's opponent to get a take "from the other sideline." This week, Florida football beat writer Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post gives his take on Florida's chances against LSU on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) throws a pass as he is rushed by Kentucky defensive end Farrington Huguenin (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida won 38-0.John Raoux, The Associated Press

1. Last season, Florida came to Baton Rouge with no experience on the field at quarterback. This year, sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel has taken control of the offense. How does Driskel's emergence change things for Florida's offense?

They're in a totally different position at quarterback than last year. Not just from the LSU game last year to the LSU game this year, but
as a whole from season to season. Last year when they came to Baton Rouge they were
missing their starting quarterback (John Brantley). Jeff Driskel had an injury as well so they
went with Jacoby Brissett, who was brand new. First time he had ever played, let
alone started. I think he was clearly overwhelmed although he didn't play that
badly.

This year you're talking about a guy in Jeff Driskel who's in his second
year in the system and this will be his fifth-straight start. He's much more prepared
for this as far as having seen some pretty good, live defenses before he goes
against LSU. He will have seen Texas A&M, which is a solid defense, and
Tennessee which is a decent defense in the SEC. It think they're in much better
position for this game at quarterback than they were a year ago, but also it's
night and day how much better they are at quarterback as a whole. Last year
with John Brantley, they had a redshirt senior who had been here five years and
this year they go into the season with a guy who had never started a game
before in Jeff Driskel. This guy who has never started a game in his life was
instantly better than John Brantley. He's a better passer, he's a mobile
threat, he's probably the biggest reason they're a better team than they were
last year.

2. How has Driskel improved Florida's offense as a whole?

They have basically the same personnel they had last year
with Brantley but because Driskel is a little bit better passer and he's
mobile, I think all those pieces around him are looking better than they did
last year. I don't know if the offensive line is much better than it was a year
ago but because Driskel is able to get out of the pocket and make things happen
with his legs, be it running on scrambles or running to create some space and
throw, he's making that offensive line look like it's a little bit better. He's
making the receivers look a little bit better in part because they're getting a
lot more one-on-one situations because defenses can't just load up the
secondary in coverage. Then that leaves them vulnerable to Driskel taking off
and running for 10 or 15 yards.

3. How do you think Florida's offense matches up with LSU's defense?

It's hard to figure out how they're going to be able to
attack the LSU defense because they're so good at every spot. Most importantly,
LSU is so good up front that even if you had opportunities and mismatches with
your receivers - which I don't know that they'll have - you might never get the
time to take advantage of that because the defensive line is in your backfield
before you know it. It's really hard to figure out what Florida is going to be
able to do against that defensive front. It seems unlikely that Florida is
going to be able to run the ball like they have. (Senior running back) Mike
Gillislee is averaging 100 yards per game and the team is averaging around 220
yards rushing per game, and it's really tough to envision them doing that
against LSU. I think they're going to have to find a way to beat the LSU
defense by throwing and that's a really dangerous proposition.

4. What has Florida's defense shown so far this season and how do you it will fare against LSU on Saturday?

Florida's defense is really good, and it was really good
last year. Last year they were top-10 in the country in total defense so they
were pretty solid and they brought back almost all of the same guys. They did
have trouble stopping the run against the really good teams like Alabama and
LSU, South Carolina and Georgia. This is going to be their first really big
test as far as that goes. The Florida defense has definitely not been tested
against the run in any of the first four games.

5. How different is the atmosphere around the Gators at this point in the season compared to last season?

For one, people are always eager to see those big brand
names return. I think that's why you see Notre Dame and Florida, particularly
those two schools are ranked every year even when you're not sure that they
should be. Right now it doesn't seem to me as though Florida is actually the
number 10 team in the country but that's where they are in the polls because I think
people believe in the history there and they want to see one of those
powerhouses back to where it was. They may be there at the end of the season
but I don't think they've really proven that yet or earned that spot yet. This
would be a good opportunity for them to do it.

6. Is there a way Florida could prove something Saturday even if it doesn't come away with a victory?

I think so. They are obviously doing everything they can to
win the game and I don't know if their fan base is going to be satisfied with
anything other than winning the game but I think if they could even play LSU
within two touchdowns. If LSU comes in and beats Florida 21-7, Florida has to
feel pretty good about that I would think. That, to me would indicate a lot of
progress from where they were last year getting hammered by Alabama and getting
hammered by LSU. If they can even make it competitive with LSU, to me that
would be a big indicator of progress for Florida.

7. How do you see the game playing out Saturday at The Swamp?

The think that makes it hard to predict is LSU has played so
poorly the last few games. You don't know if those games are real evidence of
where LSU is at or if they're aberrations. Maybe this is a down year for LSU
and we're starting to find that out or maybe it's just a couple of games and
they're going to bounce back and they're going to look just like they looked
last year with another national championship-caliber team. I think that as much
as this game is going to show you where Florida is at as far as its trajectory
and trying to rebuild, it's going to also give you a sense of whether LSU is legitimately
contending for a national championship this year. To me, I think LSU is going
to win the game. I could see LSU maybe winning a low scoring game, something
around 21-7 or 21-10.